Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Trees and Comes to Rest Inverted in Reservoir on Night Approach (N62620)

Ashville, NY, US

On November 11, 1995, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N62620) was involved in an aviation accident near Ashville, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance to the runway during an approach to land. Factors relating to the accident were: the night and adverse weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane on final approach to runway 15 at a private airport struck a tall tree about 900 feet short of the runway, then additional trees, and came to rest inverted in a reservoir. No mechanical failure was found. Winds were gusty from the right with rain beginning.

Accident Details

The accident occurred during a night approach to runway 15 at a private airport. The airplane was on final approach when it struck a tall tree located approximately 900 feet before the approach end of the runway. After the initial impact, the airplane continued and struck additional trees before coming to rest inverted in a reservoir adjacent to the approach end of the runway.

Witness Observations

Witnesses at the scene reported that the engines sounded normal throughout the approach. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found during examination of the airplane or its engines.

Weather and Runway Conditions

At the time of the approach, there was a gusty crosswind from the right, and rain was starting to fall. The runway was not equipped with a visual or electronic glideslope system.

Investigation Findings

Investigators found no preexisting mechanical issues with the airframe or engines. The conditions at the airport included gusty crosswinds and the onset of rain, but no further analysis regarding causal factors was provided.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04909. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.